Water ski



April 7, 1925. 1,533,023

0. MEREDITH WATER SKI Filed filapq, 20. 1924 Patented Apr. 7, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENTS OFFICE OWEN MEREDITH, OF MORGANTOWN, WEST 'VmG-INIL WATER SKI.

Application filed September 20, 1924. Serial No. 738,905.

.the invention resides in the construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and

wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a water ski.-

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of the ski showing the position of the wing when arranged parallel with the bottom of the ski.

- Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the wings are secured to the ski. I

Referring to the drawing in detail, eac ski consists of a float indicated at 10, which may be constructed of any suitable material size and shape without departing from the spirit of the invention, although the ski is preferably constructed from galvanized sheet metal and of hollow formation as illustrated. Rising from the upper surface of the ski is a foot receiving compartment 11, preferably of oval contour in plan to prevent water from splashing intothis compartment. Arranged within this compartment is a heel rest 12, and straps 13 and 14 respectively, which are utilized to hold the foot attached to the ski as will be readily understood. The strap 13 is secured to the upper surface of the ski and is adapted to surround the forward end of the foot,

.while the strap 14 is attached to the heel rest 12 and adapted to pass around the foot in the manner shown in Figure 2. Arranged within the ski 10 when the latter is of hollow formation is a pair of spaced vertically disposed uprights 15 arranged directly beneath the foot receiving compartment, to strengthen the structure at this point.

Depending from the bottom or underside of the ski 10 is a longitudinal series of wings 1.6, each wing being hingedly mounted as at 17, but prevented from swinging forwardly from a perpendicular position by means of stops or abutments 18, there bein one of these abutments used in con- 'nection with each Wing and arranged with relation thereto in the manner clearly shown in Figure '5. The construction is such that persons of average weight by use of the invention can walk upon water, and when taking a step forward, the wings 16 are permitted to swing upon their hinges 17 rearwardly, and if necessary, assume a position parallel with the bottom of the ski. However the other foot at rest is given a purchase on the water by reason of the fact that the wings 16 when perpendicular cannot move forwardly on their hinges, be-

ing prohibited from moving in thisdirection by the stops 18, thereby allowing the user to move himself forwardly over the water as will be readily understood. Upon ins ction of Figure 4 it will be noted that eac wing 16 is corrugated or ribbed vertically as at 19 to provide the wing with the desired strength, stiffness and rigidity, and at the same time, slightly space the wings from the bottom of the ski to pre vent suctioning, when the wings move upon their hinges in a rearward direction.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

I claim:

A water ski comprising a float, a foot receiving compartment arranged thereon, means within the compartment for attaching the foot of the user to the ski, wings deendin from the bottom of said ski, and inge a connected therewith, vertically dispose ribs formed on each wing for the purpose specified, means for preventing said wings from moving forwardly of the ski from a perpendicular position.

In testimony whereof I ture.

OWEN MEREDITH. 

